Morningwood
From left to right: Pedro Yanowitz, Alfredo Ortiz, Chantal Claret, Phillip Shouse
From left to right: Pedro Yanowitz, Alfredo Ortiz, Chantal Claret, Phillip Shouse
Background information
OriginNew York City, New York, United States
GenresAlternative rock, dance-rock, electropunk, power pop
Years active2001–2012
LabelsCapitol Records, VH1 Records
Past membersChantal Claret
Pedro Yanowitz
Alfredo Ortiz
Japa Keenon
Timo Ellis
Phillip Shouse
Richard Steel[1][2][3]

Morningwood was an alternative rock band from New York City. Founded in 2001, it primarily consisted of Pedro Yanowitz and Chantal Claret.[4] Morningwood was signed to Capitol Records and released two albums. Claret went solo in 2012 and folded the band.[5]

Career

Morningwood's self-titled debut album was produced by Gil Norton, known for his work with Pixies, the Foo Fighters, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Singles from the album include "Nth Degree", "Jetsetter" and "New York Girls." In support of the album, the band toured with Mindless Self Indulgence, Head Automatica, Gang of Four, Kasabian, The Sounds and The FireTheft on various legs of their US tour in 2006.

Their song "Nth Degree" has been used in several Mercury vehicle commercials, which featured actress Jill Wagner. Another of their songs, "Nü Rock," was used in the video games Burnout Revenge, SSX on Tour, while "Nth Degree" was used for Thrillville. A demo version of a Morningwood song called "Warrior" was used in a Payless ShoeSource TV spot. Morningwood received national exposure in the United States as a finalist in December 2005 Yahoo.com's Who's Next. They appeared three times on the Late Show with David Letterman, twice each on Last Call with Carson Daly, CD USA, and Jimmy Kimmel Live! and once on The Tonight Show. They played live at the MTV Studios at midnight for the Human Giant 24 hour marathon. In 2008, the song "New York Girls" was used in the popular Sex and the City movie. Morningwood's popular song "Best of Me" is featured as the theme song for VH1's Daisy of Love, and has been remixed by Jimmy Urine of Mindless Self Indulgence and also Kevvy Mental (Kevin James Maher) of Fake Shark - Real Zombie!.

In August 2008, the band finished work on a new album.[6] The album, Diamonds & Studs, was released October 27, 2009 by VH1 Records, a record company started by VH1 and owned by Viacom. Morningwood was their first and only act.

Shortly after Claret's video for "Snobby Little Elf" premiered on YouTube, the band split for an indefinite hiatus. They regrouped in March 2012 to join Mindless Self Indulgence on a final tour.[7] The band's final show was on March 11 at Irving Plaza in New York City. Since the disbanding, Claret has started a solo career while Yanowitz has started work on a Broadway musical.

Their song "Sugarbaby" is used as the theme song to VH1's reality series You're Cut Off!

Band members

Touring members

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Chart Positions
US US
Heat
2006 Morningwood 102 1
2009 Diamonds & Studs
  • Released: October 27, 2009
  • Label: VH1 Records
 — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

EPs

Year Album details
2003 It's Tits
  • Released: 2003
  • Label: Rockhardcock
2005 Morningwood
  • Released: 2005
  • Label: Rockhardcock
2008 Sugarbaby
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Capitol Records

It's Tits

It's Tits is the second EP from the ensemble.[8]

Track listing
  1. "Take Off Your Clothes"
  2. "Jetsetter"
  3. "Nu Rock"
  4. "Red Light"[9]

Singles

Single Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt 		AUS
[10]
"Nth Degree" 2005 30 92 Morningwood
"New York Girls" — —
"Sugarbaby" 2008 — — Diamonds & Studs
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

  1. ^ "Morningwood: Songs, Albums, Pictures, Bios". Amazon. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  2. ^ "Morningwood". MTV. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Grose, Jessica (January 9, 2006). "Morningwood". Spin. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Henderson, Alex. "Morningwood | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  5. ^ "Interview: Chantal - Morningwood". Indulge-Sound.com. 2012-01-16. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  6. ^ SuicideGirls.com - Interviews > Chantal Claret of Morningwood, Aug 22, 2008
  7. ^ "Chantal Claret bio". Archived from the original on 2012-07-31.
  8. ^ "It's T*** - Morningwood | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  9. ^ "It s T by Morningwood @ARTISTdirect". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  10. ^ "AMR Singles". top100singles.net. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
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